Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany says he will not run for Senate in 2024, keeping Republican field open
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WASHINGTON – Wisconsin Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany on Tuesday said he will not run for Senate in 2024, making him the latest Republican to pull his name from the speculation as the GOP waits for a candidate to jump into the race against Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
Tiffany said he plans to run for re-election in northwestern Wisconsin’s solidly red 7th Congressional District. He told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he felt he could better serve the state with his oversight responsibilities on the House Judiciary Committee and position on the Committee on Natural Resources.
"I've only been in the House of Representatives for a little of three years, and I feel like I'm really just hitting my stride at this point," Tiffany said in an interview. "If I ran for U.S. Senate, I would not have been able to dedicate the time that I need to some of those other issues."
He added of his Judiciary Committee work: "I just think it's critical at this point, as the walls close in around the Biden family, that we expose to the American people what has happened here. I just think that work is so important."
The Northwoods River News first reported on Tiffany's decision.
Tiffany’s announcement makes him the latest Wisconsin Republican to close the door on a potential Senate run. His decision to seek reelection in the House means none of Wisconsin’s six House Republicans will seek a move to Congress’ upper chamber in 2024 and leaves the potential GOP Senate field in flux in a perennial battleground state.
Republican hopes for flipping Baldwin’s seat took a hit earlier this year when U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, who represents Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District and had been the candidate-of-choice among Republicans in Washington, announced he would not seek a Senate run in 2024. And U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil in the state’s 1st Congressional District has repeatedly said he plans to seek reelection in the House as well.
The developments leave just a handful of potential contenders — including some political outsiders — left in the fray. Madison businessman Eric Hovde, who lost in the Republican Senate primary in 2012, appears among the most likely to run, and Franklin businessman Scott Mayer is also considering a run, though he has expressed reservations about jumping into the race in recent weeks.
Former Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. has floated his own name as a contender. Polls have shown Clarke leading a hypothetical primary field, though there have been no signs of a nascent campaign from Clarke’s camp.
A source close to former state Sen. Roger Roth told the Journal Sentinel in late July that Roth, too, has not ruled out making a run.
Tiffany in April bought domain names in preparation for a potential bid and had told the Journal Sentinel he was speaking with Republicans around the state as he considered his options. He ultimately decided against a run, rather pointing to his current position in the House as where he thinks he can make the biggest impact.
"I think oversight is one of the most critical things that we do," Tiffany told the Journal Sentinel Tuesday. "Most Americans understand that our federal government really is out of control at this point in terms of spending, regulatory, really not being responsible to the American people."
He also mentioned the southern border as a "critical issue."
Democrats on Tuesday were quick to attack Tiffany and the yet-to-develop Republican Senate field.
"Ultra-MAGA Congressman Tom Tiffany cried wolf about running for Senate but ended up passing because he knows his extremist record doesn't hold a candle to the work Tammy Baldwin has done for Wisconsin," said Arik Wolk, a rapid response director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
"This leaves Republicans staring down a messy and chaotic Senate primary with two self-funding millionaires and Sheriff David Clarke ready to enter the race," Wolk added.
More: Off and running in 2024: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin raises $3.2 million in second quarter
Still, Tiffany brushed off questions about the empty Republican primary field with just a year to go until the primary. He said Republicans will have a "good candidate" but declined to say who in particular he sees as the best potential contender.
"Whether we have a primary or not, I'm not concerned about that at all," Tiffany said. "What you try to do is expose the vulnerabilities of Tammy Baldwin to the voters."
"She's a rubber stamp for President Biden," Tiffany added. "I think if we stay focused on the issues — you know, lightning has to strike, you have to get just the right set of conditions — but if that happens, anyone can be beaten, including Tammy Baldwin."
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tom Tiffany will not challege Tammy Baldwin
